gated community outside the city are island of hope for security. you can see through this massive fence but don't climb over it. high voltage. this is aimed to keep the criminals at bay. >> we are looking at the security. >> johannesburg resident is typical of many here. her house has been targeted twice by intruders and so she installed elaborate security systems, high-tech alarms and closed circuit tv. >> even though we live in a suburb that is close there is always the fear. the criminals come from outside. >> there are hundreds of thousands of robberies, burglaries and other crimes a year. the murder rate in south africa is over six times that of the u.s. why do people feel so endangered. >> the proximity. in a place like johannesburg, you have very poor people living close to wealthy people. >> no, you are not looking at a war zone, afghanistan. this is one of the leafier suburbs of south africa, and these folks are part of a swat team on many security firms to deal with crime in a proactive and muscular way. this is one of 9,000 security firm